What Could Have Been, And May Still Be
December 17th, 2025
Rise Up: Mike Evans elevates over Atlanta CB Cobee Bryant for a catch last Thursday.
Maybe Joe was looking at the Bucs’ offense through creamsicle-colored glasses. But things looked good to Joe.
Joe isn’t saying the offense was dominant. It maybe was running at 60-70 percent. But there were more than a couple of flashes of fun, efficient and productive offense bordering on dangerous.
The offensive cavalry returned. Mike Evans was in Hall of Fame mode. Jalen McMillan looked improved from his solid rookie season, having missed 13 games due to broken bones in his neck.
And yes Virginia, there is a weapon at tight end on the Bucs’ roster.
As Joe said, the offense wasn’t smooth. But it was the best it looked since the Bucs lit up Seattle on the road.
In fact, per the Bucs’ media relations staff, the Bucs in Week 15 had some of the best production from receivers in the league.
Bucs receivers accounted for 14 first downs last Thursday. Only Detroit and Denver’s receives accounted for more first downs than Bucs receivers.
Also, Bucs receivers racked up a total of 254 yards receiving. Only the Lions, Broncos and Rams had more receiving yards from receivers.
So yeah, even though the offense didn’t look smooth, it looked dangerous.
Bucs fans sort of got a taste of what the offense could have been, and what still may be.
December 17th, 2025 at 5:22 am
It was great to see Evans and McMillan back. I hate to be a downer, but the interior O-Line looks bad, Baker holds on to the ball way too long and has been inaccurate for a while now. Can these areas be improved? We’ll see.
December 17th, 2025 at 5:37 am
Here’s the playbook every week- Joe faces reality after every disgusting loss by this team for a day or two. Then as we approach mid to late week, he spins hope and optimism to readers about the team and really stretches to find something positive.
Then the team totally collapses again the following game, and it’s back to facing reality for a few days. This team literally sucks and they will never be a consistent winner under Bowels and an aging veteran core.
December 17th, 2025 at 5:41 am
I’m in a more ‘wait and see’ mode these days rather than looking for positives in this most recent of Bucs’ collapses. It’s sad, but I now hope for the best while expecting the worst, especially from this defense.
Yes, the passing numbers were ok, not great, but my belief is that Baker is still holding on to the ball too long. Grip it and rip it (wrong sport?)!
We lost to a team that had 19 penalties! That hasn’t happened in the NFL since the Raiders had 23 and beat the Bucs in 2016. Another dubious Bucs record!
And we have a head coach who publicly states he passes the buck, near directly blaming losses on his veterans.
President Harry Truman had a sign on his desk: THE BUCK STOPS HERE, meaning he accepts all responsibility for his staff’s errors.
The way Bowles tried to pass off his team’s failures on veteran leadership was embarrassing as a coach and supposed leader of men. I can only hope he was misquoted.
Still trying to get over 3rd and 28 …
Wait and see …
December 17th, 2025 at 6:01 am
Yep, things are looking up, Joe. Were I you, I’d bet a ton on the Bucs beating the Panthers this Sunday.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:02 am
The Bucs are -27 in scoring against all opponents this year.
The Rams are +159
The Seahawks are a whopping +163
When viewed through those glasses it’s hard to believe the Bucs have won a single game.
The Seahawks scored at will against us, but we won thanks to a helmet deflected pass.
We’re gonna need more of that same luck if this team expects to go anywhere this year home except home after Week 18.
Three games left to earn another. Gotta make Sunday Week 1.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:17 am
Guys, we literally have no shot in the playoffs. We are a bad football team. Making the playoffs is not winning the super bowel. It’s time to face reality and stop thinking we are a serious football who just so happens to win in the most dumpster fire NFC South division. It’s the harsh reality and a tough pill to swallow, I get it. But there is zero chance we can compete with the best teams in this league. Period.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:26 am
For us to have any chance it will be via a shoot out
The Defense is what it is – horrible. Just play man coverage and hope for a turnover at some point
The Offense – put up points and don’t stop!
December 17th, 2025 at 6:38 am
That is definitely the winning recipe Steven #55. Would also add not sucking on special teams…especially kick coverage.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:38 am
Yes Joe in Michigan.
The interior line is killing us!
We only have 1 solution.
Wirfs at LG and Chukwuma at LT.
Anybody remember Larry Allen?
Wirfs could be the next Larry Allen and become the best guard in NFL history.
Larry Allen also played LT and RT at an elite level.
Chukwuma will be cheap for a few years.
Why Larry Allen is often called the GOAT guard
• Physical freak: 6’3”, ~325 lbs, yet ran a 4.85 forty and benched 700 lbs — unheard of for an interior lineman.
• Dominant strength + athleticism: He could overpower elite defensive tackles and pull in space like a tackle.
• Versatility: Played both guard spots and left tackle at an elite level.
• Longevity: Dominant for over a decade.
December 17th, 2025 at 6:40 am
Dacake
Just kick off out of bounds every play
December 17th, 2025 at 6:41 am
Teacherman is a visionary!
He even called for Mark Barron to be a LB.
He called for drafting the Honey Badger (we drafted Banks).
He called for Demar Dotson to play TE on the goal line. (He as a D-1 basketball player)
I also have good ideas!
Wirfs at LG!
Immediately!
December 17th, 2025 at 6:48 am
Teacherman I like the suggestion!
December 17th, 2025 at 6:54 am
Adam Says:
December 17th, 2025 at 6:17 am
Guys, we literally have no shot in the playoffs. We are a bad football team. Making the playoffs is not winning the super bowel. It’s time to face reality and stop thinking we are a serious football who just so happens to win in the most dumpster fire NFC South division. It’s the harsh reality and a tough pill to swallow, I get it. But there is zero chance we can compete with the best teams in this league. Period.
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Oh cool. So what’s the plan then boss? Just take a participation trophy ? Loser mindset little guy
December 17th, 2025 at 6:57 am
To Adam’s point Joe, like all the bucs media are so up, and down with regards to this team. I listened to Ronde Barber on another sites podcast. He has all the faith in the world Jason Licht is the right man to turn this franchise around. He went on to say, him, and Jason Licht are close friends. Is that the real reason he believes in him? I get it. It would be hard calling for someones job you’ve grown close to by covering them for the last 7 years. Todd, and Licht are good dudes, who’ve given their time for interviews, and podcasts. The fans for the most part see all their worts. We don’t rub elbows with the players, coaches, and Licht. Like they say in football all the time, just do your job. This roster isn’t good, the coaching is worse. Change isn’t just needed, the fans welcome it. Media needs to tell it like it is, not letting relationships with the team cloud their judgement.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Without Baker’s last minute, 4th qtr heroics early in the season, this team could just as easily be 3-11 as our current 7-7. Of course, if our defense hadn’t folded & given up go-ahead scores in the 4th qtr of 3 games (Falcons, Saints, Bills) we’d now be 10-4. Regardless, we are where we are, and we have a CHANCE to finish 10-7 and make the playoffs.
This Bucs’ team however could just as easily lose the last 3 games as win the last 3 games. We’ve lost the last 5-out-of-6 games since our BYE week, surrendering an average of 29.3 PPG in those 6 games. That’s NOT a good sign, nor is it indicative of a team that’s gonna do damage in the playoffs. HOWEVER, the last 3 games have yet to be played, and the Panthers (offense ranked #28) and the Dolphins (offense ranked #23) aren’t exactly offensive powerhouses, so our defense may actually have a fighting chance.
We’ve lost McCollum & SVD to injuries, but we’ve gotten 2 players back (Izien & Walker) who MAY be able to help us. If Dean stays healthy (please please please), I’d use Parrish as the other outside CB, keep Tykee Smith at Safety, and use Izien at Nickel. I’d also try Walker at MLB, paired with LVD, to see if the 2 of them could provide better coverage of the middle of the field. Couldn’t be much worse than we’ve been having.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:06 am
What will still be? I’m happy to say what will still be because this is exactly what will happen. Bucs win 2 of the next 3. Finish 9-8. We become the equivalent of the guy without a woman on his arm having to bribe the doorman to get in to the party, and then we promptly get kicked out when Seattle comes here and they kick their feet up, make themselves at home, and tells us to make them a sandwich. Todd Bowles keeps his job, we keep all the slapdiks and the remnants of the 2020 team because we delusionally think we can make another run. And we go through another mid season 5-6 game losing streak. Sky is falling, omg what’re we doing yards yards. Lucky for us, we’re the beneficiaries of a disgusting division, and it’s Groundhog Day over and over and over and over, too afraid to take that next step, too afraid of change
December 17th, 2025 at 7:14 am
Debbooo
The plan is simple but it takes having to face reality first and having an honest conversation. The Bucs are bad, they are incredibly inconsistent, the coach is not fit to lead this team in anyway to be a contender near term or long term. It’s time to move in another direction or stay stuck in this position each season he is in charge. It’s time to do a complete overhaul. If that means a few rebuilding years, then so be it. The sooner we take the necessary steps, the sooner we can rebuild and give ourselves a shot of becoming a real football teamand hopefully go on to do amazing things for years to come. I think Bucs fans are suffering from a form of battered wife syndrome tbh
December 17th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Teacherman: While the Bucs should be open to everything/anything to improve the O-Line, Left Tackle is a lot more important of a position than Left Guard, IMHO. I wish the Bucs had a grizzly veteran they could start at Center, like the AQ Shipley days, and move Barton to LG…If Barton would be better at LG.
December 17th, 2025 at 7:48 am
QB Bryce Young of Carolina has had an up and down season. I predict Bryce Young will have a bad day allowing the Bucs to come out with a victory Sunday.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:07 am
@Gofortheface30 Says:
“…then we promptly get kicked out when Seattle comes here and they kick their feet up, make themselves at home, and tells us to make them a sandwich.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
LMAO
“…we go through another mid season 5-6 game losing streak. Sky is falling…. it’s Groundhog Day…”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Cried, bc its true. As they say, its a Bucs life
December 17th, 2025 at 8:09 am
We have the 2nd most payroll in the league dedicated to the WR group. Time to utilize these weapons.
December 17th, 2025 at 8:23 am
Teacher, don’t die on this hill. You can’t go a comment now without mentioning your great idea of moving the highest paid left tackle in the league to guard. You know this is not going to happen no matter how many times you say it don’t you? And for good reason.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Consistently being bad is not dangerous every once in a while being able the make some plays isn’t dangerous being able to do it when you need to that’s being dangerous.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Colonel Angus, and we’re about to find out why they are worth every penny. Mike Evans may not be the best receiver in the league but he might just be the most important player on this team. And Chris might just be the 2nd most important. If we can just slow the rush from the inside down a little bit then we could easily win a Super Bowl this year.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Bucs should shut down the gut. Stop up Canales up the gut tendabcy. Stop the Shrimp roll outs.
December 17th, 2025 at 9:49 am
I agree Barton would be better at LG with Bredeson at Center.
Keep in mind,
Chukwuma shut down Chase Young and Cam Jordan EASILY.
And he got bigger and nastier as the game went on.
He’s a Nigerian soccer/basketball player.
Chukwuma is a freak of nature.
His kick out and slides are as fast as a basketball player!
But he’s as strong as a pure blooded Nigerian!
Chukwuma will turn into a pro bowler!
Put Wirfs at LG dag gummit!
December 17th, 2025 at 10:00 am
I’ve never understood why teams don’t prioritize guards!
Guards are the key to running the ball!
Michael Jordan is limping on and off the field.
Feeney looks like a Lego Man with a square body and mullet.
Wirfs looks like Carl Nicks, who before his toe injury, was the scariest guard in the NFL at 340 pounds.
Wirfs is 340-350.
He could move DTs and NTs!
Feeney and Jordan aren’t moving anybody!
In fact, they are getting blown up or blown by!
Get Chukwuma on the field!
He’s only played football for a few years.
He’s been training at LT.
Wirfs has played his whole life. And he knows the playbook.
Wirfs could adjust to LG much easier than Chukwuma.
Do you guys really think Baker can pass the ball when his guards are getting beat on every snap?